Used to mean 'up to the time of' something; similar to 'until.' As a verb (different meaning), it also means to prepare land for planting by digging and turning the soil.
The time preposition 'till' comes from Old English 'til' meaning 'to, up to, as far as.' It is actually older than 'until,' which was formed later by adding a prefix. The farming verb 'till' comes from a different Old English verb 'tilian' meaning 'to strive, work, cultivate.'
Many learners think 'till' is just a short form of 'until,' but historically it’s the other way around—'till' came first. English reused the same sound for farming, time, and even money drawers ('cash tills'). One little word grew branches in three completely different directions.
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